Results 4,341-4,360 of 4,787 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Electoral Reform (24 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I am conscious that I am taking this Commitment matter on Bob Dylan's 80th birthday. The times they are indeed a-changing. From a political perspective, I very much welcome the Senator bringing this issue to the House because it is really important. At the outset, it should be noted that the Programme for Government: Our Shared Future contains a broad range of electoral reforms, including...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Electoral Reform (24 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: To finish that quote, Bob Dylan said, "Don’t stand in the doorway, don't block up the hall", so he was probably referring to giving an opportunity to everyone to take part in our political system. I am conscious the Senator rightly highlighted the role of young people in recent years, particularly as the climate Bill is now being brought forward. It was the climate strikes, it was...

Seanad: Planning and Development, Heritage and Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (24 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Chathaoirleach. I thank the Senators for providing me with an opportunity to set out the provisions of the Planning and Development, Heritage and Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2021. As I set out in the Dáil a number of weeks ago, this technical Bill is necessary to allow for the transfer of functions relating to heritage under a number of enactments...

Seanad: Planning and Development, Heritage and Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (24 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank all the Senators who contributed to the debate for their comments and kind words. I thank Senator Garvey for what she said about the Department's work. I thank Senator Fitzpatrick for what she said about the new city development plan. It is vitally important that development plans are aligned. I give my absolute commitment on Moore Street. Senator Cummins inquired about...

Seanad: Planning and Development, Heritage and Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I will not be accepting amendments Nos. 1 and 6 to 13, inclusive. I reiterate that this is a technical Bill which is necessary to allow for the transfer of functions relating to heritage under a number of different enactments to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. I will not be accepting any amendments which go beyond the very narrow technical nature of the Bill. The...

Seanad: Planning and Development, Heritage and Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Yes, I apologise.

Seanad: Planning and Development, Heritage and Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: It is the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Seanad: Planning and Development, Heritage and Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: It changes that, yes.

Seanad: Planning and Development, Heritage and Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I appreciate the clarification from Senator Cummins. I appreciate the concerns Senator Higgins is raising as well because it is not about the good working relations of this Government but rather putting in place the checks and balances for future Governments. This is a technical Bill. The Minister with responsibility for heritage has a defined role. The Bill is aimed primarily at...

Seanad: Planning and Development, Heritage and Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I will not be accepting amendments Nos. 2 or 3. Sections 8 to 11, inclusive, refer to sections 177, 177Y, 177AB and 177AC of the Act of 2000. As stated in my opening address, Part XAB of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provides for consultation by the primary Minister under the Act, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, with the Minister for Arts, Heritage and...

Seanad: Planning and Development, Heritage and Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I will address that concern. Certainly, as I stated, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, will continue to be consulted. It is important that those checks and balances are there and I give my assurance. The NPWS may be on a different statutory footing following the review process, but for now there are important checks and balances in place. I give that assurance to Senator...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Protection (20 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 230 to 234, inclusive, together. My Department is responsible for the implementation of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, both of which underpin the legislative and policy framework for the protection and conservation of our natural heritage. In particular, the 2011 Regulations transpose two key...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Protection (20 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Yellowhammer is a Red-listed species in Ireland due to significant range declines (-57% since 1968-72) with the species now largely restricted to eastern and southern counties. However, more recent population trends for 1998-2016 (as indicated by the Countryside Bird Survey) are showing a stable population trend (+4%). One of the most important measures to protect Yellowhammer is the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Horticulture Sector (20 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Under an independent chairman, Dr. Munoo Prasad, I have established a working group to examine the issues which had been identified during the Review of the use of Peat Moss in the Horticultural Industry. It is comprised of representatives of the relevant Government Departments, State Bodies, Environmental Non-Governmental Organisations and of various sectors within the horticultural...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Horticulture Sector (20 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I have neither statutory nor Ministerial responsibility for the harvesting of peat for use in horticulture. However, to assist in addressing the question of horticultural peat extraction, in particular, for use within the horticultural sector in Ireland, I established a working group under an independent chairman, Dr. Munoo Prasad, to examine the issues which had been identified during the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Sites (20 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 238 and 239 together. I refer the Deputy to the reply to Questions Nos. 398 and 399 of 18 May 2021 which set out in detail my Department's engagement with, and advice and supports to, relevant local bodies in relation to the ongoing review of the current UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. That reply also clarified that the closing date for...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Conservation (20 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: There are three species of deer recorded as occurring in Ireland; these are red deer, fallow deer and sika deer. A fourth species, muntjac deer, has been reported from the wild on a number of occasions, but my Department does not have evidence that this invasive species of deer has established itself in the wild in Ireland. No national census of deer populations has been carried out to...

Water and Wastewater Treatment Services: Motion [Private Members] (19 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Acting Chairman and I wish her all the best in her role. It is great to see a constituency colleague taking the Chair. I will address some of the issues raised since I took over this part of the debate. Deputies Sherlock, Whitmore and Cairns commented regarding specific deficits in Mitchelstown, Arklow and Kinsale. Those points are noted. Deputies Connolly and Bríd...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Council (19 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 109, 110 and 115 together. The National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC) is a programme established by the Heritage Council in 2006 and operated under a contract between the Council and a private company subsidiary of a UK entity. Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department, including the Heritage Council, to facilitate...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Citizens' Assembly (19 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The convening of a Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity is under discussion at a senior level between the Department of the Taoiseach and my Department, and is a matter in the first instance for that Department. These discussions primarily relate to the scope and timing of the assembly.